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“Well, I think it was him. There was a guy sitting on his own at the bar, nursing a glass of water with a wedge of lemon in it, staring longingly at the door for over an hour.”

I place my flattened palm on my chest as the tears I’ve been holding back rise to my eyes. “Oh, no. I’ve ruined the life of a man I didn’t even meet.”

The imposter barks out another laugh. “I highly doubt you ruined his life, Rose.”

“Oh, that’s easy for you to say since you’re the cad who stole his date.”

“Cad?”

“Yes, cad, scoundrel … rogue. A fair description of a man who watches an innocent woman wander into the wrong date and decides to keep her anyway.”

He coughs, but I don’t miss the chuckle he’s trying to disguise. “I didn’t exactly keep you.”

“You let me sit with you for hours, while another man was at the bar nursing a broken heart, and the only thing he had for comfort was ice water with a lemon wedge in it.” The sad image I conjure in my head tugs at my heartstrings. “Were you ever going to tell me the truth, or did you plan on changing your name to Brendan, learning how to Zumba, and keeping the lie going?”

“I was going to tell you tonight.”

“You should’ve told me last night.”

“Would you have agreed to another date if I had?”

“Probably not,” I admit.

“Exactly. Can we talk about this later when I pick you up? I’m about to walk into a business meeting. The one I was supposed to have last night.”

“No, buster, we can’t. I’m going to afford you the same courtesy Melody, who was my only friend in this city, by the way, afforded me. Lose my number, arsehole.”

I end the call, drop my phone onto the countertop, cover my face with my hands, and do the only thing I can in this moment. I burst into tears.

Chapter 4

Bronson

By the time I leave the boardroom and stalk back to my office, it’s safe to say I’m in a foul mood. This is usually the part of my job I love most. The moment I swoop in and save a company from going under before the liquidators get their hands on it, knowing I’ve spared another family from going through what mine did all those years ago.

But that’s not how I feel right now. I’m pissed, I’m dejected, and I have no fucking idea how to undo the mess I’ve created with Rose.

Justin Rathborn II was elated when he walked out of here, and I can’t blame him, but even that wasn’t enough to brighten my mood.

I move straight past Janet, my PA, who’s sitting at her desk. If she dares to say anything bitchy to me right now, I’m liable to sack her on the spot.

I slam my office door behind me and drop the file containing all the paperwork on my desk before sinking into my chair.

A low growl bubbles in the back of my throat when I hear a knock on my door seconds later. I don’t even get a chance to say come in, or fuck off, before it opens.

I glance up, and when I see the smug look Janet’s giving me from the doorway, I run a hand through my hair. “What do you want?” I snap.

“I’m drawing up your schedule for tomorrow and wanted to double-check you’re not going to change things around before I do.”

“Schedules change. It’s how business works.” I lean back in my chair, staring at her. “So how about you do less of this …” I channel my inner Rose, make a snapping motion with my fingers, mimicking Janet’s yappy mouth, “… and more of what I actually pay you to do. Roll with it for once in your goddamn life.”

My harshness has her rearing back. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got work to do.” I give her a shooing motion with my hand as I speak. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

I’m not usually this short or rude with her, despite her constantly pressing my buttons, but she picked the wrong day to challenge me.

I place my elbows on the desk and bury my face in my hands the moment my door slams behind her.